By Stefan Morkis

A DUNDEE MINISTER has been fired by the Church of Scotland following an investigation into financial irregularities at his previous parish in Fife.

It emerged yesterday that the Rev James McMillan, of Trinity Church on Crescent Street, was suspended without limit of time from his post last Monday by a Church of Scotland disciplinary committee that had been examining his financial dealings while minister of Christ’s Kirk in Glenrothes.

When Mr McMillan moved to Trinity in 2003, it emerged that Christ’s Kirk had debts of more than £100,000.

These were caused by unpaid bills relating to the construction of a new church hall.

It will be four years before Mr McMillan can apply to have the suspension lifted.

Although he can appeal last week’s judgment, Mr McMillan can only do so on legal grounds.

During his suspension, his stipend from the Church of Scotland will stop and he will be forced to move out of Trinity’s manse.

He has not preached there for two months and his stand-in replacement, the Rev James Roy, told the congregation yesterday he would not be returning.

“He was removed last Monday without limit or time,” Mr Roy told The Courier yesterday.

“He can petition the presbytery in four years’ time to have his status and function restored but otherwise that is it for him.”

Mr Roy said that despite the cloud now hanging over Mr McMillan’s career, he had been a popular minister with his congregation.

“He was quite popular and the judgment is quite positive about the contributions he made to the success of his ministries in Glenrothes and here.

“At the service this morning the people were very supportive of him and appreciative of what he has achieved.”

A decision will be made on whether to appoint a permanent successor next month.

Mr McMillan said yesterday he had no comment to make on the judgment.